“Tempest” “Moonlight” Sonata’s a Coupled Analysis free essay sample

Classic Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven â€Å"Tempest† amp; â€Å"Moonlight† Sonata’s: A Coupled Analysis Beethoven’s â€Å"Tempest† and â€Å"Moonlight† sonatas are by themselves sublime pieces to any ear, each encapsulating within their notes such a build up of extreme human emotion, until their 3rd movements wherein which the pressure becomes to much to contain, ultimately resulting in a climax of genuine sentiment. When one interprets the final movements of both sonatas in such a way that the similarities as well as the differences between the two can be acknowledged, one then cannot only better understand the reasons those same movements are able to exemplify such striking affects, but also why the emotion that is instituted by them is individually so contrasting in complexion. Both pieces’ completion dates can be used to accurately mark the â€Å"middle† period, or â€Å"heroic† decade of Beethoven’s career. Their final movements are both written in sonata form, and both utilize the frequent arpeggiation of chords in varying sequences which serve to create a short of emotional tension throughout. We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Tempest† â€Å"Moonlight† Sonata’s: a Coupled Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, the specific type of emotion that is portrayed within each movement draws light upon the differences between the two. For instance, the 3rd movement of â€Å"moonlight† seems to explode straight out of the gates. When compared to the pieces second movement, a minuet, the 3rd and final movement seems an abrupt rousing from the contentment felt within the 2nd. Personally, I envision the 1st movement as a period of sparked passion between figures, wherein which a type of connection and perhaps obsession is formed. The extent unto which the figures individually acknowledge this presence of interest is unknown. It is clear that a goal or destination has been set, and throughout the rest of the piece up until the start of the 3rd movement, we witness a struggle for the obtainment of this goal. A sense of an increased emotional attachment can be acknowledged within the 2nd movement, and from the very start of the 3rd movement, the listener gets the sense that the melody is frantically striving towards some uncertain goal. Through the frantic energy and disjointed rhythms, one can connect a sense of unrequited love, which began to formulate within the 1st movement, and has now erupted into feelings of grudging acceptance, and emotional despair. The rest of the movement, through its various up’s and down’s, illustrate the continued pursuit of reaching this unknown destination and the struggle to be liberated from ongoing affliction. Finally, following an emotional climax in which it would seem the sought after goal was briefly reached, the melody quickly spirals downwards, farther below than where it started even, and it is then conveyed that this struggle is one of perpetual force, its conflict unconquerable. In Beethoven’s â€Å"Tempest†, although it does share qualities with â€Å"moonlight† such as its fast, rondo-sonata form, the variance in repeated sequence of chord, and the presence of a very fluid emotional scheme which ends in climax, the emotion that is revealed is very different from that of â€Å"moonlights†. The affect I find most suitable to the 3rd movement of the â€Å"tempest† is an emergence from a swirling waltz, from which exudes a feeling of great optimistic happiness. The formulation of rising hopefulness that has accrued since the 1st movement is seen here, where it is involved in an epic battle through which it struggles to obtain a climax of unbridled spirit and positivity. After much effort, the desired outcome is reached, and at the last, a flurry of flowing notes gives us satisfaction of spirit in that a sanguine attitude has been established and continues to travel in its wake. What should be noted when analyzing both the â€Å"moonlight† and â€Å"tempest† sonatas is the power they have to connect to human experience. Within both pieces one is able to recognize a sense of frenzied pursuit. As to what that pursuit is aimed towards, we know not. However the music of each movement lends us a hand as to the type of emotion that is to be embedded within it. Through the â€Å"tempests† gradual surmount of tempo and power, one can feel the oncoming certainty of joy. Through â€Å"moonlights† numerous peaks of fierce and desperate notes of struggle; one can witness the scene of dejection and disparity that ultimately encompasses the pieces subject. While both works institute relative themes from one another, the emotions they individually portray could not be any farther apart.